Mohamed bin Zayed attends opening of Military Base in Egypt

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, along with a few dignitaries, attended the opening ceremony of the Mohamed Naguib Military Base, west of Alexandria, Egypt.

The programmes at the ceremony included a documentary about the late Egyptian president Mohamed Naguib, followed by field performances by 1,500 of Sa'ka Forces or Thunderbolt Forces, and students of military and police colleges, which reflected their flexibility, skills and courage.

Later, the military band played patriotic songs and the "Silver Stars" team presented a spectacular air show.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi decorated top-of-their-class military students with the Medal of Military Duty and congratulated them on their performance. Egyptian Defence and Military Production Minister Sedki Sobhy delivered a speech on the occasion.

El-Sisi welcomed the Arab leaders on behalf of the Egyptian people.

He stated that the attendance of Arab leaders at the graduation ceremony of the military students was "proof of the unity between the Arab countries."

The military base is named after Mohamed Naguib, a leader of the Egyptian revolution in 1952, and the first president of the Republic of Egypt after its establishment on 18th June, 1953. Sunday will mark the 65th anniversary of the 23rd July, 1952 Revolution.

The Egyptian President said the base was named after Naguib "in dedication" and "respect and appreciation" for him.

The base, reportedly the largest in the Middle East, is built on what used to be a military city, constructed in 1993, and includes 1,155 buildings, built and renovated in the past two years.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the government and the people of Egypt on the occasion of 23rd July, 1952 Revolution anniversary and wished more development and prosperity to them.

He also conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and permanent prosperity, security and safety to the Egyptians. Sheikh Mohamed hailed the important and effective role played by the Egyptian Armed Forces in addressing the challenges at home and for Arab security in general.

Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen on strengthening Arab solidarity and on enhancing coordination among the Arab countries to come up with a common vision to address the challenges and risks facing the region.

He also stressed the strong relations and co-operation between the UAE and Egypt in all fields, especially in the military and defence domains, which would contribute to promoting the performance and potential of the armed forces in the two countries.

The Egyptian President expressed his happiness at the participation of His Highness in the opening ceremony of the Mohamed Naguib Military Base and reciprocated his greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and wished further development and progress to the people of the UAE.

Later, President El-Sisi, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed and heads of the participating delegations went to the main Convention Hall and toured the Mohamed Naguib Museum.